Search found 1014 matches

by Mike Gunn
Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:12 am
Forum: Rating Debate
Topic: Side effect of the countback system
Replies: 16
Views: 4324

Re: Side effect of the countback system

30 is based on statistical theory. A certain number of game results (n) will give you a x% probablility that your grade lies in the interval G-y to G+y. Elo has a table of y versus n (I think). I can't remember the details or the value of x Elo used or y when n=30. (I once tried working it out using...
by Mike Gunn
Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:28 pm
Forum: Rating Debate
Topic: Side effect of the countback system
Replies: 16
Views: 4324

Re: Side effect of the countback system

I am not saying it will create a problem (I am not sure if it does or not) but if your performance varies throughout the year (e.g. because of the different type of events that take place at different times of the year) then the grade calculated under the countback system will certainly be different...
by Mike Gunn
Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:34 am
Forum: Rating Debate
Topic: Side effect of the countback system
Replies: 16
Views: 4324

Side effect of the countback system

Consider a player who plays 40 games a year. Because of the count-back method the 10 games he plays immediately before the end of the cut off period will be counted twice in calculating his grade (i.e. in January and July) whereas the other 10 games will be used just once. Is this what we want under...
by Mike Gunn
Fri Jan 20, 2012 11:48 pm
Forum: Chess Questions
Topic: Diaganol Method for mating with KNB v K
Replies: 9
Views: 3893

Re: Diaganol Method for mating with KNB v K

Last January I finally checkmated somebody in a tournament game using the "Russian method" and appropriately my opponent was a Russian!

(So Silman etal are wrong, it is worth learning.)
by Mike Gunn
Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:39 am
Forum: Deaths & Obituaries
Topic: Elaine Saunders/Pritchard (1926-2012)
Replies: 16
Views: 12386

Re: Elaine Saunders/Pritchard (1926-2012)

John Beasley was responsible for completing the 2nd of "the Encyclopedia of Chess Variants" (2007). The first edition was produced by David P in 1994. I remember playing Elaine a few times in Border League Guildford v Godalming matches (I have found a game score for 5th Jan 1998, French defence exch...
by Mike Gunn
Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:39 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Guardian Chess Column
Replies: 23
Views: 7646

Re: Guardian Chess Column

This jas been an excellent column and it is going to be a sad loss.

Can I suggest that all Guardian readers write and complain? Write to [email protected]. (If you use email you must give your full postal address and a daytime telephone number.)
by Mike Gunn
Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:24 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: Draft Junior Selection Policy for 2012
Replies: 70
Views: 12525

Re: Draft Junior Selection Policy for 2012

Grades always come out at about the time of the British Championships so it is not that unusual for some events there to make use of "old" grades.
by Mike Gunn
Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Adjournment Tales...
Replies: 32
Views: 4775

Re: Adjournment Tales...

Isn't there a variation of the adjournment story where the sealer/ resigner doesn't turn up and the opponent opens the envelope to read some insult. (I don't recall the name of the sealer.)
by Mike Gunn
Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:44 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Trent and Gordon Commentary at the Classic
Replies: 65
Views: 7026

Re: Trent and Gordon Commentary at the Classic

The guys who sit in front of the cameras are being paid to do so, of course. (And a random GM who came and sat in front of the cameras wouldn't be.)
by Mike Gunn
Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:16 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Trent and Gordon Commentary at the Classic
Replies: 65
Views: 7026

Re: Trent and Gordon Commentary at the Classic

A pedantic point: pants are not the same as trousers (except in the USA).
by Mike Gunn
Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi
Replies: 242
Views: 37971

Re: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi

>>>He [Ray Keene] also offered to shake hands with Lara but without offering an apology.<<<

Just to give the full picture: he also offered to issue a statement saying that he does not regard Lara as homophobic.
by Mike Gunn
Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:13 pm
Forum: Congress Diary
Topic: The London Chess Classic U160 Amateur Challenge
Replies: 9
Views: 3185

Re: The London Chess Classic U160 Amateur Challenge

(Bump. again, as I notice this excellent event does not appear on the website or original leaflet.)
by Mike Gunn
Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi
Replies: 242
Views: 37971

Re: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi

Ernie, as you don't lie then we will have to put it down to ignorance as I have known CJ for many years as an active player and a sponsor of chess.
by Mike Gunn
Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:28 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi
Replies: 242
Views: 37971

Re: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi

Ernie, apologies if I incorrectly attributed the self-publicist jibe to you incorrectly. "Transient" is bad enough in my book.
by Mike Gunn
Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:45 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi
Replies: 242
Views: 37971

Re: An Open Letter to CJ De Mooi

Ernie, you described as a transient whose only reason for attaching himself to the ECF is self-publicity. I know for a fact that this is a lie.